Bit of advice required

Have been looking for a supra for a few months now. Have found one now I really like the look of.

Am going to get a HPI check ran on it tomorrow.

However I would really like the mileage verified. Seller has no BIMTA cert with it, but does have lots of Japenese paperwork, in his words... they have lots of numbers on in Japenese writing but has no idea if they are service history, mot certs or what. They all have 'Toyota techno' on them, and he also has a bunch of documents on cream coloured stationary with loads of writing and numbers on?

First off has anyone a clue what these could be possibly?

Second off as I said earlier I really want to have the mileage verified if at all possible. The car has been here a year since import. Is it possible with the VIN number to get bimta too see what the last recorded mileage was in Japan, or does this have to be done on initial import. Would have rang them but sadly they are closed for the evening.

Last thing is, the car is in the Manchester area. Can anyone reccomend anywhere, garage, toyota dealer etc where I could pay to have the car given the once over.

Just trying to over all bases and would rather fork out a few hundred quid and not buy the car as opposed to buy it and find out I need to spend a couple of grand getting it put right.

Any help greatly appreciated

As an afterthought if I can't get it BIMTA verified would someone looking the car over be able able to tell if the mileage was not as it appears?

The car has done about 50,000 mile in case that makes any difference.

Many thanks again.

Well I guess the old clues about looking at drivers seat wear, shiny steering wheel, overly worn pedal rubbers, shiny gearknob - the usual signs - a 50,000 miler should only have very early signs of all those things.

If it went through a Japanese auction BIMTA reckon they can do a mileage check

http://www.bimta.co.uk/MileageChecks.asp

http://www.bimta.co.uk/CertificatesofAuthenticity.asp#

With the digital odometer, it's very difficult to actually clock the car, without the aid of another odometer. (Whether that be a new one from Toyota or a 2nd hand one)

Have all the mk 4s' got digital odometers though?

Excuse the ignorance if this is a stupid question

Cheers for the advice though!!

With the digital odometer, it's very difficult to actually clock the car, without the aid of another odometer. (Whether that be a new one from Toyota or a 2nd hand one)

I thought it was easier, aren't there places that offer this service.

There certainly are for other cars.

Have all the mk 4s' got digital odometers though?

 

Excuse the ignorance if this is a stupid question

 

Cheers for the advice though!!

The newer facelift cars don't have the digital odometer.

Facelift cars started May 96.

With regard to getting the car checked over, if knowone can suggest a local specialist then I would ask the AA as they do this sort of thing!

It would be nice if a local Supra owner on here could go with you to look at the car.

I wouldn't bother with Toyota at all, they aren't familiar with the car as they aren't very common. When you go to the local dealer to get parts you see everyone looking as if they haven't seen one in years.

The newer facelift cars don't have the digital odometer.

 

Facelift cars started May 97.

you are right and i really dont understand what is wrong with Toyota. they used the old type of odometer on facelift 97+ model? I wish mine is digital one

I thought it was easier, aren't there places that offer this service.

 

There certainly are for other cars.

From what I understand having spoken to a couple of people about sorting my odometer to read the correct mileage after being converted from kilometers, it appears to be impossible to reset them back to zero, or indeed reduce the number of miles on the odometer. Perhaps they just didn't know the "special trick".

If you have the Japanese paperwork, I may be able help. I was stationed in Japan for four years and still have contacts there. I bought my supra in Okinawa and brought it to Germany. If you can scan the documents and send them to me, I may be able to get them to a Japanese friend who may be able to find out where the car came from and what its background. It's a long shot, but a possibility.

With the digital odometer, it's very difficult to actually clock the car, without the aid of another odometer. (Whether that be a new one from Toyota or a 2nd hand one)

You're kidding now, right?

Cheers again for all the above advice

On the BIMTA check form I have a couple of places needing filled in. But myself or the current owner does not know what document this info would be recorded on or where on the vehicle the info might be.

Anyone got a clue where the following would be found...

- VIN /Chassis No

- Date first registered in Japan

Any help mucho appreciated as ever.

Really looking forward to a Supra. Just want to make sure I end up with an honest example

the date first registered in japan should be on the V5?

the vin number will be on the vin plate on top of the driver's side wing if you lift the bonnet.......

The VIN plate is under the bonnet - drivers side wing - behind the suspension tower.

The VIN should start E-JZA80...

Cheers!!

The same number should also be stamped into the firewall slightly to the left of centre just above the head.

A compression test would be useful.

Cheers for all the advice again people!!

Car is getting checked over by the UK Car inspection co tomorrow. All being well I'll be off to pick it up Sunday morning...

... even more exciting though I get to buy the car I've wanted since I was 17 (now 28) and was always unwilling to fork out the insurance they wanted on one!!

It just all a tricky business ! Just watch out for the signs and ask alot of questions